Merchandise display and selection system

ABSTRACT

A merchandise display and selection system for apparel is provided, comprising a merchandise display space holding color-coded transparent apparel display packages, and a sizing and selection grid positioned proximate the display space displaying combinations of sizes for the articles of apparel. A color-code is associated with each combination of sizes, and corresponds to the color-coding on the color-coded transparent apparel display packages. A consumer of apparel selects a color-code from the sizing and selection grid corresponding to one of the combinations of sizes and thereafter selects one of the transparent apparel display packages corresponding to the color-code and the desired color of the article of apparel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of retail merchandising of apparel, and, in particular, to a merchandise display and selection system for women's intimate apparel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rapid expansion of the world economy and international markets over the last few decades has resulted in an exponential growth in the number and availability of consumer goods, from automobiles, to household goods, to personal items including clothing and accessories. As a result, competition for retail floor, shelf, and rack space has been fierce, while at the same time pressuring retailers to maintain large inventories to accommodate the wide selection of products now available to consumers.

At the same time, the wide selection of products has led to confusion and bewilderment of the consuming public. For instance, the many women's intimate apparel styles, sizes, and colors on display in large retail stores, in combination with a multitude of different packaging types for each style and/or color, is frustrating to consumers who simply desire to quickly and easily select and purchase a particular style, in a particular color, and in an appropriate size.

Additionally, many consumers, who are not familiar with a particular brand or style of apparel may wish to inspect and touch/feel the item before purchasing it to determine if the article has the desired features and feel. This is often not possible unless the seal on the package is impermissibly broken.

What is needed is an apparel system where a consumer can quickly inspect an article, and then ascertain the correct size, color, and location of an article of apparel at the point-of-purchase in a display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a merchandise display and selection system for apparel, including a retail display, and a sizing and selection grid located on the display. The display includes an apparel display space with multiple transparent apparel display packages being displayed therein. Each transparent apparel display package is dimensioned for containing at least one article of apparel of at least one selected color, and is color-coded to identify the size of the article(s) of apparel contained therein.

The sizing and selection grid includes multiple combinations of sizes for the articles of apparel, and a color-code associated with each combination of sizes, the color-code corresponding to the color-coding on a display package.

A consumer of apparel selects a color-code from the sizing and selection grid corresponding to one of the combinations of sizes, and thereafter selects one of the transparent apparel display packages corresponding to the color-code from the sizing and selection grid in the desired color.

Various features and aspects of the invention will become apparent upon review of the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the merchandise display and selection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the merchandise display and selection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another alternative exemplary embodiment of the merchandise display and selection system according to the present invention, representing a stand-alone display.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary sizing and selection grid according to the present invention, for brassieres.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary transparent color-coded apparel display package.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the merchandise display and selection system of FIG. 1, illustrating the display and merchandising of panties.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the merchandise display and selection system of FIG. 1, illustrating the display and merchandising of women's shapewear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below and illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, which, of course, is limited only by the claims below. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art, and all such alternate embodiments, modifications, and improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the Figures in general, and to FIG. 1, in particular, the present invention is directed to an apparel merchandise display and selection system, shown generally as 100. In one embodiment, the merchandise display and selection system comprises a display space 120, and a plurality of tubular apparel display packages 160 for brassieres. As used herein, the term “display space” refers to racks, shelves, mounting surfaces, grid walls, tables, bins, aisle endcaps, etc., or combinations thereof, including stand-alone and supported display configurations.

In the system shown in FIG. 1, the display space 120 comprises a vertical grid-wall 121 of the type that are conventionally used in retail stores for the mounting and display of hanging apparel. A plurality of horizontal shelves 123 are mounted on the grid wall 121 for supporting a plurality of product bins 124, and in the embodiment shown, one or more garment hanging fixtures 128. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bins 124 are gravity-fed for the dispensing of the tubular apparel packages; however, the system 100 is not limited thereto. By “gravity-fed,” it is meant that the bins 124 slope downwardly from the rear to the front so that the packages 160 in the bins 124 will move downwardly toward the front of the display space 120 when a package 160 is removed from the front of the bin 124. As discussed in greater detail below, a point-of-purchase sizing and selection grid 140 is affixed on at least one of the product bins 124.

While the system 100 is exemplary of the display and selection of intimate apparel, in this case brassieres, the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, other items of apparel, where the size is dependent upon two or more measurements/variables, are properly within the scope of the present system 100.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 further comprises hanging unpackaged samples 180, e.g., brassieres, on garment hanging fixtures 128 that are affixed to the upper portion 122 of the display space 120, above the gravity-fed bins 124. This permits potential consumers to visually inspect and touch/feel the same brassieres that are packaged in the transparent apparel display packages 160 before deciding on whether and what to purchase.

An alternative embodiment of the system 100 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2, in which the apparel merchandise display and selection system 100 is incorporated into a larger conventional display system 200. As shown, brassieres 180 on one portion of the grid wall 121 are displayed in conventional fashion on hanging fixtures 128, with hanging unpackaged samples 180 on the opposite portion of the grid wall 121 displayed above their associated gravity-fed bins 124. Alternatively, the system 200 of FIG. 2 could comprise two or more side-by-side arrays (not shown) of product bins 124, in lieu of the plurality of hanging fixtures 128 that are not necessarily associated with the display and selection system 100 of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a stand-alone embodiment of the present invention, shown generally as 300, is directed to an apparel merchandise display and selection system comprising a display stand 320, a point-of-purchase sizing and selection grid 340, and a plurality of tubular apparel display packages 360.

The display stand 320 comprises a header 322, a base 323, a plurality of shelves, or bins 324, and in the embodiment shown, one or more garment hanging fixtures 328 upon which unpackaged brassieres 380 are displayed. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bins 324 also are gravity-fed for the dispensing of the tubular apparel packages. A variety of store, brand, pricing, etc. indicia (not shown) also may be displayed on the empty spaces of the header 322.

To assist in the selection of the correct size, point-of-purchase sizing and selection grids 140, 340 are provided. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the point-of-purchase grid 140 are affixed to the front, or lip 124 a of the product bins 124. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sizing and selection grid 340 is affixed to, or printed on, the header 322 of the display stand 320 and/or the front 324 a of one or more product bins 324.

The sizing and selection grid 140, 340 serves multiple purposes. First, in the case of brassieres, it reduces a large number of torso band length and cup sizes into a smaller number of overlapping, but suitable sizes. Further, it provides a color-coded system to assist a consumer in quickly and easily locating the proper size product.

By way of example, and as best shown in FIG. 4, a sizing and selection grid 140 for brassieres illustrates how sixteen band length and cup size combinations may be reduced to five exemplary color-coded sizes. For example:

-   -   Bands 30 and 32, Cups A and B=Extra Small (XS)     -   Band 34, Cups A and B, and Band 36, Cup A=Small (S)     -   Band 34, Cup C, and Band 36, Cups B and C=Medium (M)     -   Band 38, Cups B and C, and Band 40, Cup B=Large (L)     -   Band 40, Cup C, and Band 42, Cups B and C=Extra Large         The brassieres included in this exemplary sizing and selection         grid 140 are wireless, i.e., they do not include underwires for         additional support. Wireless brassieres will fulfill up to what         is referred to “full” cup; i.e., C cup, sizing needs. Market         research shows that sizes up to a C cup represent about half of         the consumer population for brassieres. As will be appreciated,         for larger cup sizes with underwires, the point-of-purchase         sizing and selection grid 140 would involve a larger number of         combinations.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 by graphic markings, a different color is associated with each size; e.g., Red for Extra Small, Orange for Small, Yellow for Medium, Green for Large, and Blue for Extra Large; however, any combination of colors could be selected so long as the ordinary consumer would be able to visually distinguish between the different colors to easily make a selection.

Further to providing a simplified sizing and selection system, by combining a large number of band length and cup sizes into a much smaller number of color-coded sizes in accordance with the present invention, a retailer is now required to maintain a much smaller inventory to support a relatively large range of sizes of brassieres. Here, for example, the retailer has to maintain an inventory in only five sizes versus sixteen. Accordingly, a smaller amount of retail floor, shelf, or rack space is required, and restocking of the display space 120, 320 is substantially less labor intensive.

Turning now to FIG. 5, one exemplary embodiment of the apparel display package 160 of the present invention is shown. As shown, the apparel display package 160 comprises a transparent tube 161 having end caps 163 for packaging and/or removal of the article of apparel therein. In this embodiment, the apparel comprises a wireless brassiere 180, which is visible through the transparent tube 161. A package label 165 is enclosed within the transparent tube 161 and includes a colored band 165 a, which corresponds to one of the color codes, and thus a size, on the sizing and selection grid 140, 340. In the embodiment shown, the colored band 165 a corresponds to the color for a Large size brassiere on the sizing and selection grid 140, 340. Supplemental indicia 165 c illustrating ‘L’ for the Large size brassiere, and a pictorial representation 165 e of the style of brassiere contained within the transparent tube 161, as well as any other desired indicia, may be included on the label 165.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 3, one exemplary display arrangement is illustrated. While the colors of the brassieres are not illustrated, each bin 124, 324 may contain transparent apparel display packages 160, 360 of the same color brassieres, but of different sizes, as indicated by the colored bands 165 a, 365 a. Alternatively, each bin 124, 324 may hold packages 160, 360 with brassieres of different colors and of the same size, or brassieres of different colors in different sizes. In alternative embodiments, a transparent apparel display package may contain more than one similar item of apparel, such as two or more brassieres of more than one color, all of the same size. As used herein, the term “similar” refers to the same type of item of apparel; e.g., brassieres, panties, shapewear, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the merchandise display and selection system 100, 300 is not limited to brassieres. As shown, other types of women's intimate apparel also may be displayed and selected in a similar fashion. For example, and as shown in FIG. 6, a display and selection system 600 is shown for women's panties 680, incorporating the same display space 620 and plurality of transparent tubular apparel display packages 660 that are used for brassieres. Similarly, a display and selection system 700 may be provided for articles of women's shapewear 780 a, 780 b, as shown in FIG. 7. The exemplary embodiments shown and described herein are in no way limiting in the types and styles of women's intimate apparel that may be merchandised in accordance with the present invention. As those skilled in the apparel arts will appreciate, the point-of-purchase sizing and selection grids 640, 740 are tailored for the specific type of apparel, where two or more variables are combined into a grid to help the consumer easily determine the proper size for the chosen article. For panties, for example, those variables may include, normal pant size, e.g., 4, 6, 8, 10 . . . 16; normal panty size, e.g., Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large; degree of fit/support, e.g., Light, Moderate, Firm; degree of stretchability, etc., among others. With respect to shapewear, the combination of variables may comprise variables from both brassieres and panties, depending upon the specific article (upper or lower torso) of shapewear being merchandised.

In use, a potential consumer would approach the display 120, 320, 620, 720 to inspect and/or touch/feel the hanging unpackaged samples 180, 380, 680, 780 if available. Otherwise, the consumer would inspect the article of apparel by viewing it through the transparent apparel display packages 160, 360, 660, 760. If the consumer desires to purchase one of the brassieres, the consumer will refer to the sizing and selection grid 140, 340, 640, 740 to ascertain which of the color-coded sizes satisfies the fit requirements. Having identified the appropriate color code, the consumer will then select a transparent apparel display package 160, 360, 660, 760 corresponding to the size from the bin 124, 324, 624, 724 of the desired color.

Although the present invention has been described with an exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A merchandise display and selection system for apparel, comprising: (a) a merchandise display, comprising: an apparel display space; a plurality of transparent apparel display packages in the apparel display space; each of the plurality of transparent apparel display packages dimensioned for containing at least one article of apparel of at least one selected color; each of the plurality of transparent apparel display packages being color-coded to identify the size of the at least one article of apparel to be contained therein; (b) a visual point-of purchase sizing and selection grid positioned proximate the display space and comprising: a plurality of combinations of size variables for the articles of apparel; a plurality of color-codes associated with the combinations of size variables, each one of the plurality of color-codes corresponding to the color-coding on at least some of the plurality of transparent apparel display packages; and a consumer of apparel selects a color-code from the visual sizing and selection grid corresponding to one of the combinations of size variables and thereafter selects one of the transparent apparel display packages corresponding to the color-code from the visual sizing and selection grid, and the desired color of the article of apparel contained in the transparent apparel display package.
 2. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 1, wherein the display space is selected from the group consisting of racks, shelves, tables, bins, walls, encaps, and combinations thereof.
 3. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 1, wherein the merchandise display further comprises a base and a header, with the display space therebetween.
 4. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 1, wherein the transparent apparel display packages contain similar items of apparel.
 5. The merchandise system and selection of claim 4, wherein the color-coded transparent packages are tubular.
 6. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 5, wherein the display space comprises a plurality of gravity-fed trays.
 7. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of gravity-fed trays holds transparent apparel display packages containing apparel of the same color, each transparent apparel display package containing a different size.
 8. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 6 wherein the visual sizing and selection grid is affixed on at least one gravity-fed tray.
 9. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 2, wherein the items of apparel are selected from the group consisting of brassieres, panties, and shapewear.
 10. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 9, wherein the items of apparel are brassieres and the plurality of combinations of sizes comprise torso band lengths and cup sizes.
 11. The merchandise display and selection system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hanging unpackaged samples for inspection by customers, the plurality of hanging unpackaged samples being of similar colors and styles of articles of apparel contained in at least some of the plurality of color-coded transparent apparel display packages. 